Comparison

OpenNotes vs Nottr

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

OpenNotes

Create handwritten notes, import and annotate PDFs, and organize your thoughts with folders. This free, open-source app prioritizes privacy by keeping all your data local and on your device.

Highlights
  • Handwritten notes with Apple Pencil
  • PDF import and annotation
  • Folder-based organization
  • Add images and text
  • Local-first data storage
  • Export and share notes
Features
Read full description

OpenNotes is a simple, free, open-source notes app built for handwriting, PDFs, and focused organization. Create notebooks, import PDFs, write with Apple Pencil, add images or text, organize notes into folders, and export your work when you need it. OpenNotes is local-first and privacy focused. There are no accounts, no analytics, and no tracking. Your notes live on your device, with optional backup to your own iCloud so they survive a lost iPad or a deleted app. Nothing is ever sent to us — your notes stay in your Apple account, readable by no one else.

About

Nottr

Features
Read full description

Focus on what truly matters: your thoughts. nottr is a beautifully designed, minimalist note-taking application built for modern thinkers, writers, and productivity enthusiasts. Without the clutter of traditional word processors, nottr offers a distraction-free markdown environment that feels perfectly native on your device. WHY YOU'LL LOVE NOTTR: • Distraction-Free Editor: A clean canvas to write down your ideas smoothly with a handy markdown shortcut toolbar. • Smart Organization: Just type hashtags like #draft or #journal anywhere in your notes, and nottr will automatically catalog them in the sidebar. • Rich Visuals: Insert images seamlessly from your photo library and view them inline. • Secure Trash: Accidentally deleted something? Keep your deleted notes safe in the Trash for 30 days. NOTTR PRO FEATURES (Optional Subscription): • Seamless iCloud Sync: Keep your notes perfectly synced and backed up across all your iOS devices. • Advanced Exports: Export your beautifully formatted notes as PDF or HTML files. • Support Indie Development: Help us keep building simple and elegant tools. Write freely, organize effortlessly. Welcome to nottr. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

OpenNotes4 screens
Nottr4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: OpenNotes at none against Nottr's 2. OpenNotes also leads on device support (3 vs 1) and iOS requirement (15.1 vs 26.0). On price and ads there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Nottr sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per month. OpenNotes asks for nothing beyond the download.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
OpenNotes versus Nottr: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterOpenNotesNottr
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.4 (25 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews60.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings25 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 5 days—
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone
Requires iOS15.1 — better26.0
Further details — not scored
Size43 MB1 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperMark MillerFerdi SAHIN

In-app purchases

None

OpenNotes

No in-app purchases

2 purchases

Nottr

Subscriptions2
  • nottr PRO (Monthly)$0.991 Month
  • nottr PRO (Yearly)14 Days trial$7.991 Year

Questions

Is OpenNotes free?
OpenNotes is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Nottr free?
Nottr is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do OpenNotes or Nottr have ads?
Neither OpenNotes nor Nottr shows ads.

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